BEDMINSTER, N.J. and DUBLIN, Ireland, Nov. 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amarin Corporation plc (Nasdaq:AMRN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization and development of therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a patent covering Amarin's Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl) capsules based on U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/284,408. On September 6, 2012, Amarin announced the issuance of a Notice of Allowance for claims under this application. The newly issued patent, U.S. Patent No. 8,314,086, has a term that expires no earlier than in 2030. Amarin plans to list this patent in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, or Orange Book.

"This patent issuance represents yet another step forward in Amarin's effort to protect the commercial potential of Vascepa," said Joseph Zakrzewski, Amarin's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Amarin's goal is to protect the commercial potential of Vascepa to beyond 2030 through patent protection, regulatory exclusivity and trade secrets and by taking advantage of manufacturing barriers to entry."

Amarin now has nine U.S. patents either issued or allowed as well as over 30 additional patent applications currently in prosecution in the United States. Amarin is also pursuing patent applications related to Vascepa in multiple jurisdictions outside the United States, including the application for Amarin's MARINE method of use patent in Europe for which Amarin has announced receipt of an Intention to Grant letter.

About Amarin

Amarin Corporation plc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization and development of therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health. Amarin's product development program leverages its extensive experience in lipid science and the potential therapeutic benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl), Amarin's first FDA approved product, is a patented, ultra pure omega-3 fatty acid product comprising not less than 96% EPA. For more information about Vascepa visit www.vascepa.com. For more information about Amarin visit www.amarincorp.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about whether certain issued patents would adequately protect Vascepa against competition, Amarin's plan to protect the commercial potential of Vascepa, and the future status of patent applications under review by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include the following: events that could interfere with the continued validity or enforceability of a patent or the issuance of a patent if not yet issued; Amarin's ability generally to maintain adequate patent protection and successfully enforce patent claims against third parties; commercializing Vascepa without violating the intellectual property rights of others; and uncertainties associated generally with research and development, clinical trials and related regulatory approvals and exclusivity grants. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks associated with an investment in Amarin can be found in Amarin's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Amarin undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.